Introduction
John Locke (1632-1704) was one of the first philosophers to strongly believe in empiricism. He was an Oxford academic and medical researcher. His beliefs were basically the opposite of Descartes's rationalism.
Biography
John Locke was born in Britain. His parents were purutians. His father was a lawyer who served in a calvary for the English Civil War. His father's commander became the MP, and it was his partonage which gave John a chance for an excellent education at Westminister School in London. At age 20, he went to Oxford. He finished in Oxford. Locke had still not decided on a career, but ended up being a doctor. Locke moved on to be a seceretary for a company that checked the trade of the colonies. Locke was involved in writing the fundamental Constitution of the Carolinas.
Major Works
Locke had works in politics, philosophy, epistemology, and education. Some writings are A Letter Concerning Toleration, An Essay Concerning Human Understanding, Some Thoughts Concerning Education, and The Second Treatise of Government.
Philosophy John Locke was one of the first empiricist philosophers. This means that he thought that everything is learned from experience. He thought that when a person is born, they know absolutely nothing. He argued against Descartes in saying that man has no innate ideas. He compared the mind to a blank slate or an unfurnished room. Until you perceive something with your senses, your mind is blank.
Locke thought of where we get our ideas from as primary and secondary qualities. The primary qualities were extension, weight, motion and number and so on. The secondary qualities were things like color, taste, smell, or sound. Primary qualities can't be argued about by opinion. But, secondary qualities can.
John Locke also had works in politics. His belief that church and state should be separate influenced the Constitution.
Quotes
"Tabula Rasa" = "Blank Slate."
"Parents wonder why the streams are bitter, when they themselves have poisoned the fountain."
"What worries you, masters you."
Introduction
John Locke (1632-1704) was one of the first philosophers to strongly believe in empiricism. He was an Oxford academic and medical researcher. His beliefs were basically the opposite of Descartes's rationalism.
Biography
John Locke was born in Britain. His parents were purutians. His father was a lawyer who served in a calvary for the English Civil War. His father's commander became the MP, and it was his partonage which gave John a chance for an excellent education at Westminister School in London. At age 20, he went to Oxford. He finished in Oxford. Locke had still not decided on a career, but ended up being a doctor. Locke moved on to be a seceretary for a company that checked the trade of the colonies. Locke was involved in writing the fundamental Constitution of the Carolinas.
Major Works
Locke had works in politics, philosophy, epistemology, and education. Some writings are A Letter Concerning Toleration, An Essay Concerning Human Understanding, Some Thoughts Concerning Education, and The Second Treatise of Government.
Philosophy
John Locke was one of the first empiricist philosophers. This means that he thought that everything is learned from experience. He thought that when a person is born, they know absolutely nothing. He argued against Descartes in saying that man has no innate ideas. He compared the mind to a blank slate or an unfurnished room. Until you perceive something with your senses, your mind is blank.
Locke thought of where we get our ideas from as primary and secondary qualities. The primary qualities were extension, weight, motion and number and so on. The secondary qualities were things like color, taste, smell, or sound. Primary qualities can't be argued about by opinion. But, secondary qualities can.
John Locke also had works in politics. His belief that church and state should be separate influenced the Constitution.
Quotes
"Tabula Rasa" = "Blank Slate."
"Parents wonder why the streams are bitter, when they themselves have poisoned the fountain."
"What worries you, masters you."
Bibliography
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/locke/ , Sophie's World, The Story of Philosophy
http://www.biography.com/people/john-locke-9384544#writings&awesm=~oF1lB6CLl4ec7Ohttp://www.johnlocke.org/about/who_is_john_locke.html